THE UNFAILING WEAPONS OF A BELIEVER

Names are powerful tools used to identify people. Names have meanings and your name alone can fetch you some blessings in life. The first man God created was given the name Adam, which means earthy; thus Adam was formed from the dust of the ground, hence his name (Genesis 2:7). Your name depicts the beliefs of them that gave you. Names given to children have consequences on them. Therefore parents must be careful of the names they choose for their children; they should not be blindfolded of its repercussions. 

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NLT)

⁹ There was a man named Jabez who was more honourable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth has been so painful.

¹⁰ He was the one who prayed to God of Israel, “Oh, that You would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.

Jabez means sorrow or trouble. His mother gave him that name because of her belief, but it took the guy to pray to invoke the blessings of God upon himself; and he became more honourable than all his brothers.

God changed the names of some people who walked with Him because of the weaknesses that were found in the earlier names their parents gave them. God wished a new identity for these people, hence the new names. Abram’s name was changed to ‘Abraham’ which means father of multitude or many nations. When Abram met God, he was not biologically a father, although he was an acting father of his clan. But God gave him the new name Abraham because of God’s desire for him; that he will be a father of many nations!

Genesis 17:5

⁵ No longer shall your name be ABRAM, but your name shall be ABRAHAM; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

Names are powerful! Abraham is our fore father; we are all descendants of Abraham. Indeed he has become a father of many nations. His wife Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah which means Princess. Hitherto her name Sarai meant My Princess. So Sarai was only for Abram; she was Abram’s princess. But when Abram’s name was changed to Abraham meaning father of multitudes, his wife would no longer be his princess alone but the princess of the whole universe, hence the name Sarah which means Princess.

Genesis 17:15

¹⁵ And God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name SARAI, but SARAH shall be her name.

Lastly let’s consider the last person among others whose name God changed – Jacob. Jacob manipulated his brother to give him his firstborn birthright and deceived his father, Isaac, to give him the firstborn blessing. Jacob means Supplanter; which means the one who take the place or position of somebody by force. He had weakness in his name. No wonder he had to manipulate his big brother and deceive his father for what belonged to his big brother. When he met God however, his name was changed to Israel. The former name had some flaws and needed to be changed.

Genesis 32:28

²⁸ Then he said, "Your name shall no more be called JACOB, but ISRAEL, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."

In the culture that I find myself, when Christianity began in the seventeen century, all those who converted into Christ were given new ‘Christian’ names. Their traditional names were changed and they assumed new names. I think some of these change of names were inspired by God, and it was a step in the right direction because the meaning of some of the traditional names had a toll on the progress of the individual. Thank God for change of name and the new identity in Christ!

Before God, whoever has converted to Christianity has his name changed from a sinner to a child of God. (John 1:12). He inherits a new identity. He becomes a new creation with a new name (2 Corinthians 5:17).

This article is an excerpts from my book "THE UNFAILING WEAPONS OF A BELIEVER"

Richard Adu Poku
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